Travel Agent question...

[minnie56]

In Ontario...does anyone know if you have to be licensed to own or work in a travel agency?

Thanks!

 

[Scratch42]

I know that you should only deal with TA's that show the TICO symbol!

Scratch

 

[Amberle3]

That's right, in Ontario all agencies have to be registered with TICO in order to operate, I'm not sure about individual agents working in an agency though.

In addition, you should look for an agency that's got an ACTA membership (Association of Canadian Travel Agencies) and ask if the agent themselves is a CTC (Certified Travel Counsellor). Less than 10% of agents working are actually certified.

 

[talicskai]

Every agency in Ontario must have an agent in their office fulltime that has a CTC membership. You must have an IATA number in order to issue airline tickets and pay into TICO as well as ACTA.

Most agents are not CTC because it costs an incredible amount of money to keep up the membership fees and you don't get much for your money. It does not mean extra pay and clients don't seem to know what it is anyway. I have been an agent for 15 years and did write all the exams and had my CTC membership but after two maternity leaves I could no longer afford to pay the fee. You cannot just purchase an agency and start running it without having a certified counsellor on your staff. They are many rules and regulations to follow and the money agencies make anymore is terrible. I swear I don't know how my boss does it. Thank goodness I am on salary and not commission. Between 9/11, wars, hurricanes and other disasters I would be very poor indeed!

 

[minnie56]

for the info!!

I ask because I am trying to think of a part time job for myself...I used to work for an airline (long time ago) and can see myself slipping back into the travel business but wondered what kind of certification etc may be required. Is there a particular course required for training?

Thanks everyone!

 

[talicskai]

Originally posted by minnie56
for the info!!

Is there a particular course required for training?

I took a two year course at Fanshawe College in London. However, the Toronto School of Business has a compressed course but I think it is really expensive. I know that my boss would not hire anyone that has not taken a certified college course. Many agencies feel the same way. Good luck if you decide to go into travel. As with airlines, it can be pretty stressful but the perks are great!

 

[Amberle3]

The course I took here in Winnipeg was around 10 months long and cost $8,000.

 

[talicskai]

Originally posted by Amberle3
The course I took here in Winnipeg was around 10 months long and cost $8,000.

All I can say is WOW!!!

 

[minnie56]

WOW!!!

That's a hefty investmant for a part time job!

What takes 2 years to learn?? I have done ticketing and all that goes with that....just wondering....

 

[Amberle3]

Ticketing is a large part of it, but there is so much more involved than that. Actually many agents are moving away from the old processes of ticketing - GDS systems are just too expensive and they aren't as useful as they used to be.

You do however have to be extremely familiar with your geography, so that you know where you're sending people even if they don't (So, you want a rental car for Hawaii so you can visit the other islands huh?). The ins and outs of various cruises and tours and the legal requirements and consequences of each, insurance and what it will and will not cover and why you should have it, etc. A good portion of the industry still is in WHO you know, so it can take a while to build up those contacts. For instance I just referred a client of mine to another agent (gasp!) because I know her and she's better able to handle his needs for this particular situation. If you have clients wanting to take an eco tour of Costa Rico and you don't know which of the tour companies to pick, then it helps to know someone who's had experience in that area that you can call and ask for advice.

And I'm going to say the same thing here that I've said elsewhere about being a travel agent - it doesn't earn a whole lot of money. I would have made more money last year working at McDonalds. If you're working just on commission then you have to be aware that most airlines don't pay commission any more, about 1/3 of the time the hotels you're booking won't pay you the commission, and about 1/2 the time the car rental agencies won't pay the commission. Part of my job in the last agency I worked for was researching pending commissions, and it took a fair chunk of time.

It's also a BIG commitment, because although you might only intend to be in it part-time you have to be prepared for the fact that if something comes up that requires immediate attention, you need to deal with it until it's done. And that can mean sitting on the phone all day trying to get through to vendors and airlines to get a problem straightened out for a stranded client, or trying to get that cruise cabin booked before the sale is over or other such things. And if you happen to have plans, well too bad. This is not an industry where you can put things off until tomorrow. It's a "you snooze, you lose" industry.

 

[PoohBWV]

There are agencies that will hire you with a background in an airline, especially as an outside agent working strictly on commission. The agency where I worked no longer sells that many airline tickets that are not a part of a package as there is no commission and much of the tickets are paperless now, so ticketing is not as big of a deal as it used to be. I would say however that knowing SABRE or another booking tool would be very useful. Agencies are having to look at selling differently than they did even five years ago if they want to survive.

 

[barb45]

I agree - it you want to work part time in the business there are agencies that will hire you as an outside sales person. That said, you strictly work for commissions on your own time and sell to friends and family mostly. You may also check out your local Cruiseshipcenters - they hire and train you (the training used to cost $150.00 but I know it went up) - and then you make your own hours and sell outside and inside (you can set your office hours and then take calls and get bookings that way). How much you make will depend on your contacts and sales skills.

 

[minnie56]

Sounds like I need to get creative here!!

I would love to do it from home...I am always called upon to find the best deals and seem to make everyones travel plans but get nothing for my efforts! I suppose because I have stayed at home for so long and have unlimited free time (Well..almost) that I can be patient and sleuth around for what's out there!

The wheels are turning...

 

[abbyndrewmom]

I work part-time for a travel & tour company. i have a University degree in Hotel Administation and my previous experience was as a corportate meeting planner. So I had very good group skills and was hired for those specific skills.

WE are a very small agency and do not print airline tickets so that was not an issue. I am on salary and then make a small commission on my sales. I make a decent wage and the additional commission does help. I find it a good part time job as I like planning and our agency tends to do more custom itineraries which lets me use these skills. It can be frustrating when you do alot of research and then your client finds the same thing online for $50.00 less and books elsewhere. We don't do very many pre-packaged holidays anymore as we just can't compete with the online agencies!!!

The travel perks are okay but not at all what they "used" to be. I am currently planning a cruise (non-disney) with my family for March break. I am getting a slight break but not really much different then the sale price minus commission. There are some good fam trips available but my dh is a teacher so they are never available when we can go together.

I would say owning your own agency is not a part time job. You must be available when your clients are travelling. you will not believe what can happen. Even if you have done your job, suppliers and others can make mistakes. In Ontario there are alot of regulations especially with what you do with your clients money. I know we have to submit a yearly audit to TICO as well. Like others said most airlines don't pay commission, and others are reducing their commissions. I would not want to be working for commissions only!!!!

Last year at the travel and Leisure show in Toronto there was a booth for travel agents who wanted to work out of their home. I didn't check it out but it might be of interest to you.

 

[mom_rules]

DD just started College for her CTC a couple of weeks ago. She is doing part time studies and we calculate it will take about 2-1/2 years to complete. and yes, even part time it costs thousands but at least the debt gets spread out a bit as you only have to pay for the courses you are currently taking.